Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-04-20
CHAPTER XXXv.
NEMESIS.

Anxious as we were to cave these assO-
Citations Of crime and danger, we found it
impossible to get away for several days,
but at length we had satisfied the requir-
ments Of the Belgian police, and were at
liberty to depart. No news had been re-
ceived of the Basilisk since the night Of the
attempted murder. I felt easier in mind as
the days passed by. Plowitz and Mr.. Beau
foy were both safe in custody, and, whether
to avoid danger to herself or to evade the
necessity of giving evidence, it seemed
probable that Miss Beaufoy would not ven
ture to trouble us. These few days Of Sc
curity had been very happy ones, married
only by the necessity of attending to the
demands of the authorities for information
on various points connected with the al
rests. Shaw had meanwhile made arrange
ments for Mary's reception by his sister at
Richmond, and we had taken measures for
putting her interests under the care of the
Court of Chancery. The evening of our de-
parture had arrived. We were to cross by
the night-boat to Harwich.- II was. sitting
alone, thinking things over and making
plans for the future, in the large sitting
room which we had occupied, when a waiter
appeared and announced a lady.
[ rose with a feeling of apprehension.
There stood against the clear twilight sky,
against the low Old-fashioned window, q
was she at last-the Basillsk. She advanced
towards the light of the fire, and 1 could see
once more the marvellous light of those
eyes-witching, cruel, unholy.
She came to me, and l saw that she
smiled a smile neither of malice nor of de-
-- Cs.o~1- Ill., wi 0F -
proud but gracious woman. The spell was
Strong still. But I thought of her relentless
hate, I saw the CLEAN of the murderer's
knife, and I felt steeled and safeguarded
against any wiles or treachery.
1 did not speak, but looked at her coldly,
qu~estisningly.
"You are surprised to see mes" she said.
II am surprised that you can come to me
like this,' I answered-'that you can come
calmly smiling to one whose blood might
lave been on your SOUL"
"You have not understood me-" she said.
II do not tolerate opposition, even from
those I love-"
"And YOU would do worse than kill those
YOU love,n I said with anger and scorn.
HYou would horribly injure the helpless and
innocent to strike at those you love. God
save me from lov such as yoursW
She turned pale, and bent her head a mo-
ment: When she looked at me again the
SOU ISQC udu uOG IotUlIA0A v A0A 0y0o,
though she still smiled: ~ :,
"You have not dealt kindly with me,'
she said in a subdued voice.
AS she spoke she drew q step nearer to
me. With any other that step
would have been the prelude to an impas-
arms concealed beneath her long cloak
would have heralded one of those terrible
appeals where pride goes down before de-
spair, and despair is graced with more than
| all the majesty Of pride. With the Bas111sk
it was not so. The sudden action contra:
| dicted the sad softness Of the voice, and
looked for the CLEAN OF a concealed dag
! ger, or the flash of a hidden revolver. She
| checked her impulse, however, whatever it
| might have been, and went on in her low
| melodious voice:
SIT was III unhappy day for me when ]
saw you first. It was all unhappy day, fo1
you when you saw me first. 1t was long
ago. You loved me then without knowing
why. That love-a boys tempestuous folly
cost you your sight. Then it SO fell out
that our positions were reversed. Had you
remained in darkness y, u might have beer
the means of changing all my life. But you
"Did she not need love more"
"What has that to do with me? You hate
me for pursuing M end in my own way
You should respect mo rather. You made
your choice. l do not think it was a Wlse
One." =
"Why bring up the past again, Miss Beau
foy?" I said. ut is not long past, but it i
dead, and well that it is dead. 1t wa {
past of misery, of horror, OF cruelty, O.
crime"
sIt is over for you, but it is not over fo1
me-" she said. 1--WE shall not meet again
But I came to ask a favour Of you after
ALL" ~ % "
l was touched-who could fail to be?-bJ
the humility of this glorious criminal, and
promised to fulfil her request if / could.
"You go away t~o-nightW
eyes" z.t2 T.: s-..
81 should like to see Mary before you co.
felt a chill Of dread as she asked this.
81 do not think that is possible. Mary ha'
gone through SO much, the sight OF yo1
might have an injurious effect upon her."
ispoke firmly, but as kind as could.
&c not be afraid,'' she said with q it'll
scorn; stit is not quite q selfish desire.
woulG make some amends to Mary for tn
past, and there are some things in relation
to her property which it would pc to her ad
vantage-and to yours" she added gravel.
s.that she should learn
"Can you not tell me?''I asked:
"And yet you refuse my simple request
Do not be Unreasonable. ! Will tell Mar.
herself, or no one.n
Sin my presenceY'
! WCertainly. It must be in your pres